Archive for the ‘Leadership in AM’ Category

Namaskar,
At the recent April 2013 DMS in Davao, one grave injustice was done by a few organisational leaders. The ramifications of this act are slowly being embedded within our organisational-cum-devotional culture by the powers that be. We should all be aware about what happened – otherwise things will only continue to get worse.

THE SCENE INSIDE DMS

Here is what occurred: Purodha Pramukha, i.e. Dada Vishvadevananda, appeared on stage at the DMS sitting on an elevated seat that was higher than Guru’s place. PP Dada was veritably blocking the photo of Rev Baba. The image is attached for your review.

The key point is that in Ananda Marga, Brahma alone is the Guru. There is no lineage of gurus where the guruship or top post is transferred from one to the next as most religions do. That means there are no dalai lamas, nor popes, nor ayatollas that inherit the post or are anointed etc, as in Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism and the various other major religions and yogic traditions etc. In all such religions and traditions, they infuse the power of God within their chosen leaders. Christian priests became ordained and the Dalai Lama is selected and coronated as the divine one etc. So in every religion, the top-post holder acts a the middle-man between God and the people. In that way, huge power and divine authority is invested in those religious heads. But that is not the case in our Ananda Marga.

In Ananda Marga, Baba is the Mahasambhuti and Sadguru. His status is eternal and there is no transfer of His spiritual power to any subsequent postholder. So PP Dada then is just one jiiva born into this world with all kinds of samskaras and ignorance. Sadguru Baba is the granter of salvation whereas PP Dada is struggling for liberation, i.e. bound in the noose of maya. There is no comparison between the two. There is no question of PP Dada gaining higher stature.

Yet tragically, that is exactly what happened at the recent DMS in Davao. It was arranged to put PP Dada’s dais higher up and in front of Guru’s place on the DMS stage. That is the atrocity.

In this letter we explore (a) how and why opportunistic Dadas prop up PP’s stature for their own gain by promoting PP as the spiritual head of Ananda Marga, and (b) why the post of Purodha Parmukha is verily a social post, not a spiritual one.

PLACE OF GURU IN ANANDA MARGA

Let’s begin with a quick review of our tantra tradition.

As we know, we do Guru dhyana at the sahasrara cakra. That is the highest point of the human experience. That spot signifies deep regard and reverence. It is the pinnacled point of the human mind. Indeed that is the tradition in tantra: To goad the mind upwards, never lower.

In all aspects of our spiritual life, Guru’s place is the highest and the most revered. Nobody is above or on par with Guru. This is the main teaching of tantra.

Thus when Baba is the Guru and He is Taraka Brahma and perfect in all respects, then naturally His status is unparalleled.

“The one formless, beginningless and infinite Parama Brahma (Supreme Consciousness) is the only entity to be attained by living beings – That alone is Jagat Guru (the Supreme preceptor), That alone has revealed Brahmavidya´ (intuitional science) to us through the medium of the name and form of Anandamu´rtijii. Unit beings must be made to appreciate Its majesty.” (1)

Yet, some, for their selfish reasons, are trying to prop up PP Dada – i.e. one mere mortal born in bondage and prone to avidya maya – as being the revered one. Indeed this drama has been going on in one way or another since 1990.

So we should investigate why this is being done and clear the air.

PP IS A SOCIAL POST – NOT A SPIRITUAL ONE:

HOW AND WHY

First off, we should all understand that the post of Purodha Pramukha is a social one, not a spiritual post. Here are the reasons why:

(A) Caryacarya itself is our social scripture. And CC-1 lays out the social duties of purodha pramukha. PP Dada’s duty is to act as head of this worldly organisation AMPS. In this capacity, PP is the “chief of the purodhas”.

(B) PP has zero ability to arrange his own mukti & moksa; in that case what can he do for others in this regard. Nothing. PP is himself not liberated and obviously cannot grant that to others. This furthermore shows that his post is purely social, not spiritual.

(C) PP cannot give any new scripture or shastra. Our Ananda Marga scripture is perfect and complete – all delivered by Guru Himself. If PP wishes to write a story or commentary he may do so. But he is unable to contribute even one syllable to the shastra of Ananda Marga.

(D) Organizational executive decisions related with social affairs must reach to Purodha Pramukha for his discretionary review. This is one of his social duties.

(E) PP’s post is lifelong – not longer than that. That is to say, he is a human being and after his death he has not power or capacity. On the other hand, Sadguru Baba is eternal. His power remains always. He is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. He is beyond all spatial and temporal factors.

(F) In the Purodha Board, PP’s single vote has decisive meaning, though his order can be overturned. Hence, PP’s order is not final; his decisions are subject to review. That means if the Purodha Board has a majority vote then they can overturn Purodha Pramukha’s decision. In short, PP does not have absolute authority; PP’s every decision must be in concert with Ananda Marga ideology.

(G) Each of the judiciary decisions also must reach to Purodha Pramukha for his final approval. This again deals with the social sphere.

(H) Purodha Pramukha is chief of the purodhas – which is a social board in our AMPS.

(I) PP Dada has no great spiritual power anointed to him by God. Just he is one purodha selected by his peers to serve as the chief of the board.

(J) Plus PP has so many more social duties and responsibilities.

By all this it is quite clear that the post of Purodha Pramukha is a social post – not a spiritual one – in our Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha.

In our Caryacarya, Baba has given various provisions about the social post of Purodha Pramukha. The post of PP is just one of the many social posts in the organization wherein PP Dada deals with worldly affairs, not spiritual emancipation etc.

The question remains: When the position of purodha pramukha is clearly a social post, then why do some try to turn it into a spiritual one by giving maximum reverence to PP Dada and placing his seat higher than Baba’s.

AC. RUDRANANDA IS PREPARING THE STAGE

FOR HIS OWN ASCENSION ONTO THE THRONE

If you look at the present day dogmatic religious scene or political field then you may see that lackluster people are always getting the power. Just some puppet type of person gets the leadership role, and conniving priests rule from behind.

And this is exactly what has been happening with the post of purodha pramukha since 1990. From day 1, Ac Sarvatmananda Avt was very interested and eager to select a PP whom he could control 100%: Hence the selection of the late Dada Shraddhanandji.

Dada Sarvatmanandji immediately then propped up PP Dada Shraddhananda as being divine because then those divine powers would be routed to him (i.e. Dada Sarvatmanandji) since he was the one controlling PP. By this way Ac Sarvatmananda ruled with an iron fist – all via the word and signature of PP.

Thereafter Ac Rudrananda Avt basked in this same luxury when he snatched PP Shraddhanandji. Then Dada Rudranandji could do anything and everything with PP’s stamp of approval. By this way he even ousted Dada Sarvatmanandji from the organisation. How ironic: Dada Sarvatmanandji got bit by his own creation.

Actually the story of Dada Rudranandji does not end there. Many say that his final wish is to become PP. Toward this end he is doing two things: (a) Clearing out the competition, making more of his yes-man into Purodhas so he can garner the vote, and trying to create circumstances for the current PP Vishvadevananda to resign; (b) Declaring again and again the the post of PP is vested with special powers by Baba, so the one occupying that chair is veritably divine. This is the way that Rudrananda is preparing the stage for his own ascension onto the throne wherein he hopes to have unbridled power. About this there is more to tell.

Suffice to say here that all such opportunists want to get more power by controlling a PP whom they have presented as being all-powerful. This is their trick. And to make PP all-powerful they build him up as being divine and the veritable spiritual head of AMPS. Tragically, a few innocent margiis get befooled and cheated.

Actually what these Dadas do is just a carbon copy of religious dogma. The Hindu priests put all power in their idols. Then when they wish to get any order implemented, they say, “Goddess Kali told me to tell you…”. This is their manner. By this way all credit and responsibility goes to some stone statue that is 100% silent. There is nothing anybody can do but obey. After all, where is there scope to argue or protest? That stone idol is mute. In this way, those exploiting priests have unquestionable power.

And verily all the major and minor religions – eastern and western – perform similar maneuvers. They invest their chosen or token leader with the power of the divine and then take the name of that post-holder when they wish to enact some new edict etc.

Likewise, a few our top Dadas employ the same strategy. They create an aura that PP is great, nay divine, and put him on a high pedestal – above Baba. Although, within their inner circle they have not an iota of respect for this PP Dada – after all he is just their puppet – but they project that same PP as having divine and absolute powers. PP’s word is beyond question. This is their outer show to the general public. With this technique, such Dadas can execute their every wish: Expulsion as weapon, victimisation of innocent margiis, capture more power, eradicate margii rights, scripture distortion, Fake Ananda Vanii etc. All of these misdeeds are carried out by “the word of PP”.

Their top aim is for the common margii to transfer all their respect and love for Baba to PP and ultimately surrender to PP. Then those opportunistic Dadas can wield full power.

All they have to do is find some spineless Dada to act as PP and then prop up that Dada as being a god. This is their plan. In the past they did this with Ac Shraddhananda and now they are doing this with Ac Vishvadevananda.

That is why at the recent DMS in Davao they placed PP Dada Vishvadevananda’s dais on a plateau higher than Baba’s stance. Thus we see that who gets the high seat. But this is just their ploy. Every sincere and educated Ananda Margii understands well that PP Dada is not the Guru and that PP Dada has no such spiritual powers etc. There is nothing he can do except make worldly, organisationl decisions.

AGENDA & PLAN OF OPPORTUNISTIC PURODHAS

Here are some closing thoughts on this topic:

1. Such opportunistic Dadas are just implementing common religious dogma. Step by step they are just putting forth the idea that when Guru “left” then the current in-charge, i.e. PP Dada, takes on the role of guru.

2. In that way, they want margiis to salute PP thinking that PP has divine power. By securing maximum respect for PP from the margiis, then simple and ignorant margiis become restless to get the blessing of PP. In the name of PP they will accept anything. This is the plan of those opportunistic Dadas.

3. New margiis think this is the system and that everything is proper, while some old margiis think that the matter is sensitive. So they do not protest or raise their voice in public, while some others oppose this as a dogma and, in turn, are ousted, expelled, and victimised.

4. In Ananda Marga, we do not approve of these religious dogmas and middle-man theories where the top-post holder is a go-between for God and the people. We do not put any credence into this. But opportunistic purodhas are so degraded that want to start that tradition, gradually. The attached photo is but one of the proofs. It is further validated by viewing all the horrors that have been done in the name of PP since 1990. By this way anyone can see that they prop up the post of PP to something divine and then wield that power to their liking.

5. The various religions have a spiritual head but that is not the case in Ananda Marga. In our Ananda Marga, there is no third entity between God and the disciple. The religions use an ordained priest between their god and the seeker; but in Ananda Marga, Parama Purusa (God) and the sadhaka have a direct connection. There is no intermediary.

6. We have to remember that in Ananda Marga the role of an acarya is limited. Whether it be RS Dada or PP Dada, they have the same Guru as regular margiis. So PP is not something divine. Rather, he is just a human being in a social post.

SOLUTION

Whenever PP dada is seated on the dais etc, then the photo of Sadguru Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji must be placed or displayed 5 – 10 feet above the head of PP dada. Then there is no question of any confusion. Then there is no doubt that from this angle or that angle it is good or not. Then there will not be the splitting of any hairs. When the top spot has been reserved for Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji, and He has His own designated space, then the will eliminate all doubts etc.

FUTURE IS BRIGHT

Baba has given Ananda Marga ideology for rooting out dogma. Yet now we see how some are trying to impose age-old religious dogmas as top Dadas prop up the stature of PP on the stage of our very own DMS – giving more status to PP than Baba.

Despite all this, surely the day is not far when all will rally around His divine message in one voice and declare:

“All human beings belong to one race…’The exploitation of human beings cannot be allowed!’ and, ‘Religious hypocrisy cannot be tolerated!’ Giving a clarion call to the fragmented human society from beneath the saffron flag, the symbol of service and sacrifice, they will proclaim at the top of their voices, ‘Human beings of the world, unite!'” (Problems of the Day)

“The one formless, beginningless and infinite Parama Brahma (Supreme Consciousness) is the only entity to be attained by living beings— That alone is Jagat Guru (the Supreme preceptor), That alone has revealed Brahmavidya (intuitional science) to us through the medium of the name and form of Anandamurtijii. Unit beings must be made to appreciate Its majesty.” (1)

Namaskar,
You may know that in many Ananda Marga units in Bengal, many Wts maintain various ponds for cultivating and selling fish in order to earn money. West Bengal is a huge fish-eating region; eating fish is such a way of life that they simply refer to fish as “water fruit.” Just as a desert is filled with cactus plants, similarly all across Bengal there are man-made and natural ponds. They are a common phenomenon. The ponds are maintained to store live fish for this community of fish-eating people.

To capitalize on the situation, certain B group Wts thought they should join in and do this as a business. Those Wts thought that selling fish to the people would be a good way to make money. Here is how it works.

Wherever they have ample space, on various Ananda Marga units they maintain large ponds that are stocked with fish. Then those Wts get the word out that the people are welcome to come and fish those ponds for a fee. Essentially, Wts sell “fishing rights” to locals, and in turn those villagers etc can come and catch and eat the fish from the pond.

The rates may vary from pond to pond, and may vary based on how many fish a person catches etc. But all along the basic idea is one: Wts charge locals a particular amount of money to come and kill the fish. You may have heard about this.

Now it is our duty to consider how far this is consistent with our ideals of neo-humanism.

As Ananda Margiis, we know that we are to honour and respect all forms of life and that we do not condone the cruel killing of any being, including fish.

USE OF PISCICULTURE

Baba has given the program of pisciculture, a key system for creating ecological balance and averting and solving the water crisis. Here is how it works.

All kinds of aquatic animals like crabs, oysters, and fish etc should be cultivated in ponds and lakes. By their very presence in those water bodies, that water is cleaned and kept at an optimal level. Trees and other vegetation should be planted around those lakes and ponds. That brings shade to the area, attracts rain clouds, and very importantly, brings birds to the region. Those birds will prevent the over-population of fish, ensuring balance.

The establishment of lakes and ponds is Baba’s system for water conservation. The presence of aquatic animals is key for its success. So that is the right use of fish in the Ananda Marga model of pisciculture.

To kill and eat those fish for human consumption is a direct violation of Baba’s given system.

Prout philosophy says, “Fish should be cultivated in lakes, dams and ponds because they help conserve and purify the water. Small fish can also be cultivated in the paddy fields during the rainy season. Fish are the natural food of birds, so they are an essential part of a balanced ecology.” (1)

Prout philosophy says, “Pisciculture should also be developed in ponds and lakes. The fish help to keep the water clean and the level constant because their breathing creates water and carbon dioxide. The fish inhale oxygen along with water vapour from the atmosphere as well as dissolved oxygen from the water. They synthesize water which is exhaled into the lake. This helps to keep the water in the lake at a constant level. If many fish live in a lake, hundreds and even thousands of gallons of water will be added to the size of the lake in the course of time. Each lake should also have an attached bird sanctuary, because the fish provide food for the birds.” (2)

Thus there is no scope for Wts to sell and kill fish in the name of pisciculture. That is not Baba’s system.

“THOSE THEY HAD TRUSTED AS THEIR FRIENDS ARE ACTUALLY THEIR ENEMIES”

Next Baba points out the hypocritical and bogus way that some humans treat animals. They superficially treat animals as friends one moment and then butcher them the next – often to get a profit. Is this not what B group Wts are doing with their fish.

“Passing through many lives as worms, insects, birds, and animals, they have undergone countless pains, miseries, tortures and humiliations. Take for example the life of a goat. A goat spends its life eating grass, until the day comes when the butcher grabs it, kills it, skins it and sells its flesh piece by piece in the market. That goat at one time had to live such a miserable life. But today it has forgotten all this. Through a process of forward movement, today it may have attained a human life.”
“Human life is more secure than animal life. Many animals live in the jungle where there is something to fear every minute; where the weak are the prey of the strong. To escape this atmosphere of fear and insecurity, many wild animals have sought refuge with human beings. They have been fed grass, leaves and other types of fodder until the right moment came to kill them for their flesh. Even today, this is generally what happens. Animals fully trust human beings; they trust them even up to one minute before their death. But when they see a person approaching them with a weapon in hand, they realize that those they had trusted as their friends are actually their enemies. Although human beings feed their animals, the love or attachment which they have for them is purely external. There is no genuine love in humans. This is how wretched animal life can be.”
“Every human being has had to pass through that sort of painful animal life in the past. But that does not mean we should be the cause of misery for those animals who have taken shelter with us today. On the contrary, we should have a merciful attitude towards them. A woman who has been badly treated or humiliated by her mother-in-law should be careful that she does not treat her daughter-in-law in the same way. Human beings should carry out their duties properly in the external world and should always ensure that no being suffers unnecessarily from any undue mistreatment. In the physical sphere, the rights of all should be protected.” (3)

“I SHOULD NOT KILL, I SHOULD NOT GIVE THEM ANY TROUBLE…”

As responsible human beings and as sadhakas, we should abide by Baba’s following teachings.

“We should live with the policy of “Live and let others live”.” (4)

Ananda Marga philosophy says, “For each and every living entity one’s personal life is the dearest thing. One loves one’s personal life very much. This is the rule, this is the characteristic of all living beings. But those people who understand this sentiment of living beings and love others with the thought, “I should not kill, I should not give them any trouble because they love their life as much as I love my own life”, are true sádhus and those who lack this sentiment are not sádhus, they are asádhu. Preaching the gospels of peace, and at the same time slaughtering chickens, is not a proper thing for a sádhu because the one who kills the chickens loves his life and the chickens also love their own lives. So that man lacks the universal sentiment of love. He is not a sádhu. A sádhu must be vegetarian.” (5)

Thus it is very clear that we should allow other beings to joyously live their lives, and we should not needlessly harm or kill them. That is our ethic in Ananda Marga. And that is Baba’s teaching. Certainly every Ananda Margii understands this.

Even then many of those Wt’s in Bengal have their set justification. They say, “What is wrong; we are not killing the fish; we are just charging the local people to come and catch fish on our land. If they did not fish on our land, they would fish somewhere else.” This is their rationalisation.

By that reasoning then, a villager would be able to invites goondhas (rough criminals) to come to his area and rob the local people, and in return that villager would get a percentage of the looting or booty.

So the justification given by those Wts does not hold any value.

A CASE OF DECEPTION

That is not the only justification they give…

B group workers also give the false justification that by keeping such fish ponds they are following Baba’s system of pisciculture. But this is absolutely wrong. As noted above, Baba’s system of pisciculture is for ecological balance and water conservation – not the wanton killing and selling of fish. Today’s capitalistic fishing industries exploit the fish for profits etc. But that is not our way; and no one should be led to believe that is Baba’s system.

Baba’s given program of pisciculture is for ecological sustainability, animal welfare, and the benefit of all beings – bar none.

NO QUESTION OF OVER-POPULATION

Then there are some who think that the pond will be over-populated by fish, if people do not come and go fishing in those ponds. But at about this, there is no need to worry about that. Before humans were on the planet, there were all kinds of animals all over this earth. To such persons, Baba has given the ultimate reply.

Baba says “Some people argue that animals have been created by Parama Puruśa for our food. I knew a certain person who used to say that if people do not eat goats’ meat, the world would become populated only by goats. And others said that if people don’t eat chickens, there would not be even a single inch of space on this earth – it would be filled with chickens! Now my point is, even though human beings do not eat vultures, is there a crowd of vultures in the world? How foolish such people are! People don’t eat earthworms – has there been an uncontrollable growth of earthworms on earth? Only out of excessive greed, people eat chickens and goats and are simply searching for logic to support their actions and cover up their weakness. This sort of cunning will not do. In the mobility of the psychic world, there are certain defective thoughts prevailing – that we humans are destined to rule this earth, and the creatures are destined to be ruled by us. You will have to fight against this type of psychology with the help of your strong weapon. What is that weapon? Neohumanism. All have the equal right to live here: this universe is for all. It is not the patrimony of human beings only. This is also the duty of Renaissance people.” (6)

NOT SADHU BUT PSEUDO-CULTURE

Clearly, Baba has given the mandate that we are not to allow or encourage fishing as we are to safeguard the well-being of every animal in this creation. We should not exploit, directly or indirectly, any creature in order to make a profit etc. This is not our way.

That is why it is so shocking that our Wts are involved in the selling and killing of fish in various parts of West Bengal. Rather such Wts should stand on the moral principles of Ananda Marga and teach the people the right ideals of life through their own conduct.

But this much many B group Wts do not do. Rather than maintaining the neo-humanistic vision of Ananda Marga, and rather than living the life of a sadhu, many Wts just given in to local, pseudo-culture values, and sell fish in order to make a profit. They think that since the locals are already involved in eating fish then what is wrong.

However, what if the local population was involved in prostitution or harsh drugs like heroin etc. In those cases also, should Wts step into the business ring and try to make a profit? Should we allow or encourage that? Certainly not.

Yet that is the very attitude that is plaguing our Ananda Marga at present.

USING DIRTY MONEY TO PROCURE THEIR OWN FOOD

For all these reasons and more, many are saying that such Wts are using dirty money to procure their own food. They have plunged themselves into a business that is against the ethics of neo-humanism; they have adopted a profession that goes contrary to the ways of right livelihood (samyak ajiiva) since they are making money by harming and killing other beings; yet by that way their are profiting and using that dirty money to purchase their own food. This is veritably a filthy cycle.

Here are more of Baba’s teachings that guide us that no one in Ananda Marga, including our Wts, should be involved in the business of selling and killing fish etc.

“Just as your life is extremely dear to you, similarly the lives of others are equally dear to them. A person who thinks thus and shows mercy on other creatures is really a sádhu, or virtuous person.” In order to become a virtuous person one need not give up one’s worldly life. When this idea dawns on one’s mind one realizes, “Why should I kill an innocent creature just for the sake of the gratification of my palate.” But then one may suddenly discover a different kind of scriptural injunction – “Oh yes, you may sacrifice animals in a particular way and the sacrificed animal will attain salvation.” People follow the scriptural injunction helplessly but in their heart of hearts they realize that the whole thing is irrational. Yet they cannot gather sufficient courage to go against the “scripture”. This sort of idea which impedes the progress of the mind is called “dogma”. A dogma arises from either a defective philosophy or a “scripture”. This sort of dogma should be rejected forthwith.” (7)

“HUMAN BEINGS ARE MORE CRUEL THAN VULTURES”

Ananda Marga teachings state: “Vultures are carnivorous birds. Yet it is found that they are not cruel or heartless. Usually, like eagles, they do not attack living humans or animals. Their habit is to eat the flesh of dead bodies. There was an incident in my childhood that I can still vividly recall. On the west of our locality there was a large field which bordered on a tributary of the Ganges. As the soil was not fit for cultivation nothing could be grown there. On the upper side of that fallow land was a mound upon which stood a large tamarind tree. A vulture lived in a nest on the tree. Beside the mound was the site for the disposal of carcasses. Cows used to graze in the field as did a few horses and sheep. Once an old cow came there and fell flat on the ground due to utter exhaustion. The veterinary doctor came and said, “The cow has no chance of survival. She is likely to die in a few hours.” The owner of the cow was a very kind-hearted man. He tried to save the cow in various ways but in vain. I noticed that as long as the cow was alive, she gently wagged her tail, even when her eyes were half closed. There was no other symptom of life, at least that is what it seemed to me. I also noticed that while her tail was wagging, the vulture stayed patiently in the tree. It came to eat the cow’s flesh only an hour after her natural death. Human beings are more cruel than vultures. Their hearts don’t melt even at the sight of tears of innocent birds and animals. Just to gratify their sense of greed, they mercilessly slit the throats of animals with sharp knives and swords and thus deprive them of the right to live, even while preaching the hollow dictates of religion.” (8)

“THEY GET CONTAMINATED BY THESE SAME DEFECTS”

Baba says, “Fish eat all kinds of things. Because of this, the positive qualities of those foods which they eat they may or may not get; but, certainly they get the negative qualities or defects of those foods which they eat. In addition, fish quarrel so much among themselves; they are quarrel mongers. They eat each other; they feel jealous towards one another; and also they have the tendency to wander around aimlessly in an indisciplined, disorderly manner. Because of these negative qualities of fish, since ages there has been the feeling amongst the general public that those who are fish eaters, they get contaminated by these same defects.” (9)

Amongst all of India, the most densely populated fish-eating area is Bengal. Indeed, Baba says that the main population of Bengal are kaevarta (fisherman community). There are a huge number of lakes, ponds, rivers, and water sources in Bengal; that is why fish flourish there. Thus in Bengal fish are known as water fruit. Except for very strict devoted margiis, most of them like to eat fish.

SUMMARY

B group’s present-day manner of fishing for profits directly contravenes all Baba’s guidelines on pisciculture. His divine mandates for pisciculture stand as a broad-based ecological approach for balance and sustainability. Fish are needed for the keeping healthy and clean lakes and ponds. Those bodies of water should furthermore be surrounded by trees. Birds will naturally flock to those tress and naturally control the population of fish. This is the keen way and role of our fisheries / pisciculture system. Whereas, B group’s short-sighted, greedy and heartless way of selling and killing fish to make a profit neglects all neo-humanistic values and undermines the spirit and use of Baba’s dharmic guideline on pisciculture.

The section below this mark is an entirely different topic and not related with the subject matter up above.

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Link Between Service and Sadhana

“When you reach the closest proximity to the Supreme Consciousness, your mental waves will come in contact with His mental waves. Then you will understand what is to be done, and what will be the destiny of humanity in the near and distant future. Because of your spiritual progress, you will come closer and closer to the Supreme Consciousness, you will come in contact with His psychic waves. And in that state you will be able to render still better service to human beings, animals and plants.” (Subhasita Samgraha – 16 (H), p. 10-11)

Note: Without good sadhana rendering real social service is impossible.
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Prabhat Samgiita

“Bha’loba’si toma’y a’mi, keno ta’ ja’ni na’…” P.S. 2329

Purport:

O’ Parama Purusa, O’ Supreme One, I love You; but, I do not know why I love You. You go on pulling my heart – but what is the mystery behind this, how and why You are attracting me, that I cannot say. Baba, all I know is that You are the divine effulgence of my dark heart. By Your grace, I will never allow that effulgence to get extinguished. Baba, I will always keep Your love in my heart. By Your grace, I will always hold Your divine image in my mind.

O’ Divine Entity, all the love I have in the deep core of my heart, and all the hopes and longings I have in my mind, all these desires and aspirations of mine are revolving around You. By Your grace, they get expressed through Your songs, dance, melody, and rhythms. O’ Parama Purusa, You are the focal point of my life; You are my everything.

Baba, by Your divine grace, I feel that You are guiding each and every aspect of my existence. There is not even a single ounce of confusion in my mind. Everything is very clear. Where am I, where will I go, and from where have I come: All these types of useless questions never creep into my mind. Baba, by Your grace, I do not even want to know these things. Just I am fully depending upon You: You know everything and that everything is in Your control. For me that is enough. Baba, You are my shelter, You are my anchor, and You are the Supreme Controller of this vast universe.

Baba, You are always ever gracious on me. I love You with all my heart; my whole existence is Yours…

Namaskar,
By Baba’s grace – over the years in Ananda Marga – I have had innumerable opportunities to travel around with our various Dadas. And while that was usually quite inspiring for me, I also did get a first-hand view how some of our Dadas have taken to “following” 16 Points.

The purpose of this letter is to help those Wts (dadas and didis) follow Baba’s conduct rules and become ideal. Only then will they have the moral force to guide others and lead society. It is not possible to lead when they themselves do not do. So here the aim is to create circumstances whereby such wts mend their ways. With this motive I write.

Let me also recognise that there are many right-minded Wts adhering to Baba’s guidelines on points of food and overall conduct.

BABA’S KEY GUIDELINE AND STRICT WARNING

“Your ideal is represented by your conduct. Your learning, your social or economic status have nothing to do with your ideal.” (1)

“Sádhaná is not possible without such a moral ideation. Sádhaná devoid of morality will divert people again towards material enjoyments and at any moment they may use their mental power, acquired with much hardship, to quench their thirst for meagre physical objects. There are many who have fallen from the path of yoga or tantra sádhaná and are spending their days in disrepute and infamy. Whatever little progress they achieved through forcible control of their instincts, was lost in a moment’s error in pursuit of mundane pleasures. It must, therefore, be emphasized that even before beginning sádhaná, one must follow moral principles strictly. Those who do not follow these principles should not follow the path of Sádhaná; otherwise they will bring about their own harm and that of others.” (2)

“Acárańát pát́hayati yah sah ácáryah – “One who teaches through one’s conduct is an ácárya.” If you cannot learn anything from the conduct and behaviour of a certain person, why should you accept that person as an ácárya/á? …Take silent action against the offending ácárya/á. And what will be the nature of this silent action? You will disavow the person as an ácárya/á; you will not accept the person as an ácárya/á. I [[vest]] this authority in you. I will never seek any explanation from you as to why you have disavowed the person. Human beings will win honour if they exhibit exemplary conduct.” (3)

BABA WAS-IS WATCHING EVERYBODY

While running the organisation, Baba was extremely strict that everyone in Ananda Marga properly follow 16 points and yama and niyama. He was expressing sentient anger (see note 2) and pointing out everyone about this. If anyone knowingly or unknowingly ate onions, garlic, or any tamasik item, then Baba would strongly rebuke and point out that dada.

This had one marvelous benefit: It taught us the devotional practice that He knows everything and that He is always watching us. And that is the basic essence of second lesson: “To live one’s life thinking that Baba is with me watching my each and every action.” That is the cream of second lesson and by this way one cannot do anything wrong.

And if anyone temporarily forgot this fact – and would indulge in some misdeed – then Baba would remind them that He sees everything by lovingly scolding them in front of all. By this way, everyone – especially Dadas – would be careful to follow 16 Points.

DEGENERATION AFTER 1990

But after 1990, a few forget this divine fact that Baba is always watching. So for their own convenience they would do what they like. Because there was no such reporting nor dharma samiiksa to remind them that Baba is watching. Rather they just thought that Baba is gone. Such was their degeneration of mind, unfortunately.

And in that way, some Dadas become lax on sentient food rules while they are traveling; they eat prepared food and end up eating onions and garlic etc. They think, “No one is watching; and nobody sees what I am doing. So I can do as I wish.” But this is not the proper way.

BOYFRIEND AND GIRLFRIEND

Although there are many good Wts and that is why Ananda Marga is still continuing, but, unfortunately, some of our Dadas have adopted the faulty outlook that nobody is watching etc. In that way they skip their fasting, overlook their sadhana lessons, and in some rare cases indulge in actual illicit physical relations, but in many cases they have phone relations as boyfriend and girlfriend.

How does this work? Well, at any free moment when they are alone during the day and deep, deep into the night (1am, 2am, or 3am), they spend hours upon hours communicating with their opposite sex friend. During the day, if they are in meetings, then they will sneak away to a private spot to call their special opposite sex friend for some romantic talk & gossip. All their interaction happens by phone (talking and texting). Many of our wholetime workers are doing like this: Dadas with Didis, and Didis with Dadas. During those sessions, they are not reviewing organisational policies nor evaluating social service projects etc. In Ananda Marga, projects are separated by gender. So those wts are just gossiping like boyfriend and girlfriend, but it is non-physical. Mentally and emotionally they are engrossed.

This type of affair happens in certain social situations where two people are unable to openly go close to one another – lest it result in scandal or being stigmatized. So they attempt to satisfy themselves from a distance. Sadly, many Wts are indulged in this way.

Regarding all of the above, always it starts small – with a small infraction – and they rationalise that wrong action and gradually that negative deed multiplies into a bigger and bigger problem. Until one is extremely degenerated – inside and out, unfortunately.

We should not forget that there are many good Wts who follow all the conduct rules.

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION

The only way to avoid this downturn is to cultivate the devotional practice that, “Baba is always with me and watching me.” Then one will always abide the the rules and regulations of dharma and not fall into the quagmire of sin and degeneration.

BABA’S WARNING ABOUT TAKING TA’MASIK FOOD

Here Baba warns us of the harmful effects of eating ta’masik food. So Dada and others should give up their negative ways because Baba does not approve of eating onions or garlic and then befooling oneself by saying guru mantra. That is not the standard method.

“Cells generally grow out of light, air, water and the food we eat. The nature of food and drink has its effect upon the cells, and consequently also influences the human mind. Obviously each and every sa’dhaka, or spiritual aspirant, should be very cautious in selecting food. Suppose a person takes ta’masika, or static, food. The result will be that after a certain period, static cells will grow and exercise a static influence on the aspirant’s mind. Human beings must select sa’ttvika, or sentient… This will lead to the birth of sentient cells, which in turn will produce a love for spiritual practice and help in attaining psychic equilibrium and equipoise, leading to immense spiritual elevation.” (6)

“Sentient food: Food which produces sentient cells and is thus conducive to physical and mental well-being is sentient. Examples of sentient food are rice, wheat, barley, all kinds of pulses, fruit, milk and milk products.
“Mutative food: Food which is good for the body and may or may not be good for the mind, but certainly not harmful for the mind, is mutative.”
“Static food: Food which is harmful for the mind and may or may not be good for the body is static. Onion, garlic, wine, stale and rotten food, meat of large animals such as cows and buffaloes, fish, eggs, etc., are static.” (7)

“For the avadhútas and avadhútikás of Ananda Marga there is only one kind of food, sáttvika food.” (8)

““Cakśuńá Samvaro Sádhu” O spiritual aspirant! O Bhikśu! O monk! O devotee!…“Sádhu Jibháya Saḿvaro.” You should have control over your taste…If you want emancipation, if you want liberation from worldly fetters, you must have all-round restraint.” (9)

“Pramitáhárah: to maintain the physical body, you require physical food, air, water, light. But physical food is not simply for the physical body. It has got its effect on the spiritual body. The cells of your physical body are created from the cells that you receive from your physical food, and your psychic body is also influenced by these cells. So while taking food, you should be very careful. You should always try to take sentient food.” (10)

“Human beings should be sentient in food habits, mind and intellect.” (11)

As margiis we should be vigilant to watching over the conduct of wts.

SPECIAL REMEMBRANCE

Here I close with Baba’s special guideline: One should always think that He is with you and watching you, then you will always be strict adherents of 16 Points and progress on the spiritual path.

Baba says, “The idea, the spirit or the secret to develop devotional cult is to think, while doing anything, while doing any mundane duty or doing any spiritual practice – you should always remember that He is Subject, He is seeing what you are doing. He is hearing what you are thinking. You cannot do anything secretly. He is always with you.”
“This idea has got one advantage and one disadvantage. The disadvantage is that you cannot even think secretly. All your thoughts are tape-recorded by Him. You cannot think secretly. And the advantage is that you are never alone; He is always with you. You are never helpless, you are never shelterless, you are never weak, you are the strongest personality of the universe, because the Supreme Entity is always with you.” (12)

Namaskar,
in Him,
Nagendra

Note 1: ONION AND GARLIC “PURIFIED” BY GURU MANTRA

In particular, on one occasion I traveled with a dada across Uttar Pradesh and I saw that he has one very special type of practice. On his longer train & bus journeys he fails to bring sufficient food with him so he often purchases food along the way. But fruit alone does not satisfy him so he often buys cooked vegetable dishes while traveling. I saw him – and many others told me that he does this when traveling. Always he purchases cooked vegetables (subjii) and flat bread (roti) to satisfy his hunger.

And while I certainly do not like to see any Dada go hungry, it also has to be noted that all these cooked vegetable items from the various stalls are laced and filled with onion and garlic. That onion and garlic has been fried and boiled into the dish such that all the food is completely saturated with those ta’masik spices – and then there are also some whole pieces of onion and garlic still floating around the dish. But those are mostly “lifeless” as already all their ta’masik essence has been squeezed out of them and spread throughout the dish.

Anyway, please excuse me for saying so, but Dadaji would eat this type of cooked vegetable filled with onion and garlic on his train & bus journeys. This I have personally seen – as have so many other margiis. Many of us have witnessed this Dada do like this.

Even then there is more to tell.

Because Dadaji’s “special” way of treating the matter was to pick up one of those lifeless pieces of onion or garlic, toss it aside, then say guru mantra, and then eat those vegetables – those very same vegetables that had been cooked & saturated in those onions and garlic for hours and hours.

Unfortunately, such are the eating habits of certain Dadas during their lengthy train & bus journeys. In particular this Dadaji thinks that he is escaping all the ta’masik effects of the onion and garlic by taking guru mantra. But, if we use our rational mind, we know that this is not the case. This is not the system: i.e. eating ta’masik items like onion and garlic and then saying guru mantra as if everything is all perfect. I do not think this is how Baba wants to “follow” sentient food rules.

Note 2: SA’TTVIKA KRODHA

Sentient Anger (Sattivka Krodha): The Propounder of Ananda Marga, Baba – Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurti ji is the embodiment of dharma. One of the characteristics of a dharmika is akrodha or non-anger. Baba perfectly embodies this quality. Those close to Baba understood that He never became angry. Only He would feign anger or show as if He was angry in order to teach and impress upon others the severity of a particular situation. By this way He would express sentient anger. So never can one truly say that Baba was ever furious or mad etc. Just He would display anger externally in order to lovingly guide His devotees.

(Note: For your easy reference, the anecdotal portion of the first letter in this series has been pasted below, as well as a link to the entire first letter. – Eds)

Namaskara.

This story you told about Ac Shivanandji (i.e. Dada Samanvayanandji) needed to be told. It was long overdue. Well done.

When I was in my early 20’s I met this yogi. It was many years ago and had admired him for his mention of long sadhanas in graveyards but lost respect for him when he tried to discourage me to do the same. He tried to insert the fear dogma about it being too dangerous for me and that it would be unsafe for me to continue to go there as I had been doing. I am glad I was not affected by his scare tactics…by Baba’s Grace. Purely, Baba’s Grace.

The same can be spoken about former Dada Kritashivananda when it comes to establishing his own glory, I suppose. It hurts me that he left AMPS to become a guru and establish his own ashram. I traveled with him for periods of time and had appreciate his personal stories with Baba.I had fond memories of this acarya. But now I also lost respect for him, too.

Thank you for bringing to our attention how the ego can thwart our spiritual progress! Let this be a lesson to all of us so we will not make the same mistakes! I thank Baba that this article was written so that I will not go down the same road as these two Dadas. I ask Baba only to keep me in His Lap everyday. I ask Him only for devotion and to serve and please Him. That is my duty. Nothing else. No glory. No position. No material wealth. By Baba’s Grace I will remain close to Him only and do His will not my will. My will must be His Will, otherwise, life is not worth living.

I hope others will learn from this article, too.

BABA!

Note 1: STORY OF SAMANVAYANANDA FROM FIRST LETTER

Here in India and abroad, most senior margiis are fully aware about the history of Dada Samanvayanandji. But some new or junior margiis and workers do not know of him. For everyone’s knowledge and understanding – as well as for our own learning – here is Dadaji’s story.

DADAJI’S STORY:

THE START OF HIS DOWNFALL

When Baba was arrested under false charges and incarcerated, Dadaji did not stand by Guru. Instead, he lobbied against Baba, got frustrated, and ultimately went out on his own. And once he left, he was gone, i.e. away from Ananda Marga, for more than a decade. Here is the history.

In December 1971, the day before Baba was to hold DMC, He was arrested. In turn, Dada Samanvayanandji – then known as Ac Shivananda Avt – was appointed as Guru’s representative for that 1971 Dec DMS held in Varanasi. After that occasion, Dadaji developed a big ego, and he proudly thought that his next posting would be overseas.

So it was that in early in 1972, Baba was running the organization from His jail cell. All orders were coming from Him and being carried out in the organization. In this way, Dada Shivananda (i.e. Samanvayanandji) came to know he was given a posting in India. In disgust, Dadaji opted to never go to his assigned posting. Instead he traveled around Nepal, all the while presenting himself as a guru. Then he was given another posting and again he did not show up.

Later on in the year 1972 Baba gave the order that Shivananda (i.e. Dada Samanvayananda) was transferred to Udaipur (Rajasthan) as DS where he will oversee the school. Hearing this Dada Samanvayananda / Shivananda again became very upset and frustrated; he did not want this low post. Dadaji had grand visions: He wanted to go overseas and was looking to do some work in Rishikesh etc. When the posting order came as DS Udaipur, then he felt this was too much. Other workers who were friends with Dadaji tried in Jaipur to convince him to attend to his post. Ultimately, Dada Samanvayanandji went there with some of his own newly made disciples. Upon seeing the school he was to run, Dadaji proclaimed, “You do not know my potentiality.”

Dadaji remained at that posting in Udaipur for all of one day. He then went off on his own. Indeed, in that dark hour, Dada Samanvayanandji a.k.a. Dada Shivananda left Baba and the AMPS organisation, and in a challenging display created his own separate organization, “Prema Marga”. That time, Dadaji established his own office in the foothills of the Himalayas at Dehradun.

Let us not forget that in those days, Baba was in jail. It was during those difficult times in Ananda Marga when maximum support was needed that Dada Samanvayanandji left and created his own organization to compete against Ananda Marga. The need of the hour was to stand firmly by Guru and raise the flag of Ananda Marga. Those days, so many margiis and acaryas withstood the onslaught and backlash of the negative forces, i.e. Mrs Indhira Gandhi’s exploitative machine. Margiis and wts were forced into hiding, imprisoned, tortured, and humiliated. All the while Guru was in jail. No true Ananda Margii could ever think to leave in such a moment – never.

Yet, in that critical moment, when Baba was in jail and workers margiis were also suffering, Dada Samanvayanandji left to enjoy his own self-created guru-ship, and establish his own separate organization: Prema Marga. So while dedicated Ananda Margiis stood by Guru, Dada Samanvayanandji fled to establish his own so-called glory. This is not the quality of a disciple, but rather a case of betrayal. Or what should we call it.

Meanwhile Baba was in jail and everyone was struggling hard to carry on. This went on for years.

EMERGENCY OVER BUT DADA KEEPS AWAY FROM ANANDA MARGA

Finally, in 1977, Mrs Indhira Gandhi’s regime was ousted, the Emergency was lifted, and all were released from jail. The authorities released everyone except Baba. From His cell, Baba issued a grand pardon to all. Baba was welcoming all back into Ananda Marga, regardless of what they had done. During Emergency, some had gone to their laokik homes, some were defectors, some testified against Baba in court, some had left their sadhana, others had turned to tamasik eating habits etc. People had gone astray for all kinds of reasons. And in 1977, Baba graciously pardoned all and welcomed everyone back, regardless of their story. And indeed, so many returned back into Ananda Marga.

But not Dada Samanvayananda / Shivananda. He was living the good life as a self-proclaimed guru, and he did not want to give that up. There was another thought in his mind as well. He was thinking that at any moment Ananda Marga could again fall into tough times. Because Baba was not going to change His teachings and those ideals are too tough for the authorities to accept. So again there will be trouble. Dadaji thought, “Better I should stay in my own guruship at my ashram.”

In this calculated manner, Dadaji did not return to Ananda Marga in 1977 when Baba graciously pardoned and welcomed everyone. Nor, did Dada Samanavayananda return when Baba Himself was released from jail in August 1978. Weeks turned into months, and months turned into years.

Ananda Marga was growing by leaps and bounds. Baba performed the grandest dharma samiiksa in the history of humanity. Ananda Marga was fast spreading all around the globe. The organization was growing in size exponentially. Still Dada Samanvayananda was nowhere to be seen. Dadaji was still leading the life as “guru” in his ashram. Time and again, Dadaji’s friends like Aksarananda had pleaded with him to return, but to no avail.

BABA REFUSED TO SEE SAMANVAYANANDJI

It was not until around 1984 or so, that Dada Samanvayananda showed up. He came to see Baba in Lake Gardens. Baba refused to see him and refused to let him inside the compound. So Dadaji stood outside the gate and waited. Days passed. Dadaji grew frustrated and despondent. He was standing outside the gate in his civil dress. He was thinking, “Why should I stand here – I can put on my sannyasi dress and return to my own ashram in Dehradun.”

Again his friends like Aksarananda came to his rescue. They pleaded with him to be patient and wait for Baba’s approval. An entire month passed, Baba refused to see him or look at him. Still Dadaji was thinking to go back to his old ashram in Dehradun, and he never considered donating his ashram to Ananda Marga. Instead he kept that as his “safety-net” in case he ever wished to return there.

Then one day, Baba gave the order that Dada should be accepted back and he was given the name Ac Sambunath Brc. And he was given the very simple and basic post of ZO, i.e. zonal organizer within SDM. Later on he became CO, or circle organizer. Even then, Baba barred him from attending all kinds of meetings and reportings.

All in all, Dadaji was away from Ananda Marga for 11 years. When he was needed most to help in difficult times, he was entirely absent – just enjoying the high life as a self-appointed guru.

Even worse, after that time, Dada Samanvayanandji never expressed repentance or remorse for what happened in those days.

JUST SELF-GLORICATIONS, NO REMORSE

Rather, after his return to AMPS and was named Samanvayanandji, then he used to talk about how great Shivanandji was and how he (Shivanandji) used to have so many siddhis and do long sadhana. With that unrepentent ego, he would talk about himself in the third person as a means of praising himself up to the sky. Dadaji marched around with an extreme sense of entitlement – and not an ounce of repentance.

Plus, Dada Samanvayanandji shamelessly glorified his days in Dehradun in his book. He never once admitted that he betrayed Baba or that what he did was wrong. Dada was never open and honest with himself or others about this. Rather he tried to present this as his own greatness.

He wrote his own book ‘Glories of …’. And in that book he mentioned many times about his great work in Dehradun. So that time when Sadguru Baba was facing so many injustices in jail and all workers and family margiis were struggling tooth and nail to survive, Dadaji went against Guru and made his own separate organization known as Prema Marg. Not only did he leave Ananda Marga, but he created a parallel ashram that was directly challenging Baba’s organisation and the path of Ananda Marga.

Yet about all this Dadaji says that this was his “great” work. In his book Dada Samanvayanandji writes on page 57:

“I had established an ashram at the foot of the Himalayas…in Dehradun District of UP.”

Indeed, Dada Samanvayanandji did not have an ounce of repentance for his betrayal to Baba. He does not write, “Unfortunately blinded by my own ego I left Ananda Marga in that critical hour.” Nor does he write, “How can I ever forgive myself for leaving Baba when so many inimical forces attacked Him.” In his book, Dadaji does not express an iota of repentance etc. Just he basks in his own so-called glory that he built up his own ashram.

And even after publishing his book he did not express any remorse. Not a word of repentance did he express for those black days in which he left Baba and created his own organization.

In simple language this is betrayal to Baba and back-stabbing to Guru.

We should not hold Dadaji’s example in some divine manner and others should not emulate Dadaji’s approach. Now when groupism is rattling our organisation, this is not the time to depart and plant one’s flag of glory elsewhere.

Namaskar,
Many of our revered senior workers are moving on. They are rising in years; and, after all, the body is but a temporary housing for the mind. Our duty then is to remember all with respect and reverence and learn from their example.

HOW TO EVALUATE ONE’S STANDARD

“I had established an ashram at the foot of the Himalayas…in Dehradun District of UP.” One of the senior-most avadhutas wrote this in his own book, describing about the time when he left AMPS to establish his own ashram.

We all know that in the general society, people’s quality, qualifications and attributions are measured on the grounds of various superficial variables.

Baba says, “Your ideal is represented by your conduct. Your learning, your social or economic status have nothing to do with your ideal.” (Ananda Vanii #13)

In the above Ananda Vanii, Baba’s message is quite clear and without ambiguity: We Ananda Margiis are to evaluate others – and oneself – on the point of one’s character and conduct – not on points of money, power, avadhuta dress, purodhaship, kapalik sadhana, vishesha yoga, age, seniority, and Central Committee, Acarya board and Purodha board, or even post of Purodha Pramukha.

According to Baba’s above teaching, we should evaluate one’s calibre by their conduct alone. Other relative factors like money, post, and power are so-called qualifications and essentially valueless.

To evaluate the quality and qualifications of this senior avadhuta, the late respected Dada Samanvayanandji, we should look to his conduct. Specifically, how far did Dada Samanvayanandji’s conduct go in accordance with Baba’s teaching.

GURU-DISCIPLE RELATION

In tantra, the Guru-disciple relation is most significant. That is why Baba has given various conduct rules in Caryacarya about serving Guru.

Baba says, “The best service to Márga Guru is to work according to His wishes.” (Caryacarya – 2, Society, Pt #20d)

In addition, as Ananda Margiis we always do Guru Puja, minimum two times a day, every day. The last stanza begins with “Guru Brahma…”, and the whole idea be is that Guru is everything. Any true disciple of Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji must have this basic characteristic: To be ever-ready to serve Him.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is betrayal. One must not be a traitor to Guru; that goes against the fundamental characteristic of what it means to be a disciple. If one betrays Guru, nothing is left.

Here in India and abroad, most senior margiis are fully aware about the history of Dada Samanvayanandji. But some new or junior margiis and workers do not know of him. For everyone’s knowledge and understanding – as well as for our own learning – here is Dadaji’s story.

DADAJI’S STORY:

THE START OF HIS DOWNFALL

When Baba was arrested under false charges and incarcerated, Dadaji did not stand by Guru. Instead, he lobbied against Baba, got frustrated, and ultimately went out on his own. And once he left, he was gone, i.e. away from Ananda Marga, for more than a decade. Here is the history.

In December 1971, the day before Baba was to hold DMC, He was arrested. In turn, Dada Samanvayanandji – then known as Ac Shivananda Avt – was appointed as Guru’s representative for that 1971 Dec DMS held in Varanasi. After that occasion, Dadaji developed a big ego, and he proudly thought that his next posting would be overseas.

So it was that in early in 1972, Baba was running the organization from His jail cell. All orders were coming from Him and being carried out in the organization. In this way, Dada Shivananda (i.e. Samanvayanandji) came to know he was given a posting in India. In disgust, Dadaji opted to never go to his assigned posting. Instead he traveled around Nepal, all the while presenting himself as a guru. Then he was given another posting and again he did not show up.

Later on in the year 1972 Baba gave the order that Shivananda (i.e. Dada Samanvayananda) was transferred to Udaipur (Rajasthan) as DS where he will oversee the school. Hearing this Dada Samanvayananda / Shivananda again became very upset and frustrated; he did not want this low post. Dadaji had grand visions: He wanted to go overseas and was looking to do some work in Rishikesh etc. When the posting order came as DS Udaipur, then he felt this was too much. Other workers who were friends with Dadaji tried in Jaipur to convince him to attend to his post. Ultimately, Dada Samanvayanandji went there with some of his own newly made disciples. Upon seeing the school he was to run, Dadaji proclaimed, “You do not know my potentiality.”

Dadaji remained at that posting in Udaipur for all of one day. He then went off on his own. Indeed, in that dark hour, Dada Samanvayanandji a.k.a. Dada Shivananda left Baba and the AMPS organisation, and in a challenging display created his own separate organization, “Prema Marga”. That time, Dadaji established his own office in the foothills of the Himalayas at Dehradun.

Let us not forget that in those days, Baba was in jail. It was during those difficult times in Ananda Marga when maximum support was needed that Dada Samanvayanandji left and created his own organization to compete against Ananda Marga. The need of the hour was to stand firmly by Guru and raise the flag of Ananda Marga. Those days, so many margiis and acaryas withstood the onslaught and backlash of the negative forces, i.e. Mrs Indhira Gandhi’s exploitative machine. Margiis and wts were forced into hiding, imprisoned, tortured, and humiliated. All the while Guru was in jail. No true Ananda Margii could ever think to leave in such a moment – never.

Yet, in that critical moment, when Baba was in jail and workers margiis were also suffering, Dada Samanvayanandji left to enjoy his own self-created guru-ship, and establish his own separate organization: Prema Marga. So while dedicated Ananda Margiis stood by Guru, Dada Samanvayanandji fled to establish his own so-called glory. This is not the quality of a disciple, but rather a case of betrayal. Or what should we call it.

Meanwhile Baba was in jail and everyone was struggling hard to carry on. This went on for years.

EMERGENCY OVER BUT DADA KEEPS AWAY FROM ANANDA MARGA

Finally, in 1977, Mrs Indhira Gandhi’s regime was ousted, the Emergency was lifted, and all were released from jail. The authorities released everyone except Baba. From His cell, Baba issued a grand pardon to all. Baba was welcoming all back into Ananda Marga, regardless of what they had done. During Emergency, sone had gone to their laokik homes, some were defectors, some testified against Baba in court, some had left their sadhana, others had turned to tamasik eating habits etc. People had gone astray for all kinds of reasons. And in 1977, Baba graciously pardoned all and welcomed everyone back, regardless of their story. And indeed, so many returned back into Ananda Marga.

But not Dada Samanvayananda / Shivananda. He was living the good life as a self-proclaimed guru, and he did not want to give that up. There was another thought in his mind as well. He was thinking that at any moment Ananda Marga could again fall into tough times. Because Baba was not going to change His teachings and those ideals are too tough for the authorities to accept. So again there will be trouble. Dadaji thought, “Better I should stay in my own guruship at my ashram.”

In this calculated manner, Dadaji did not return to Ananda Marga in 1977 when Baba graciously pardoned and welcomed everyone. Nor, did Dada Samanavayananda return when Baba Himself was released from jail in August 1978. Weeks turned into months, and months turned into years.

Ananda Marga was growing by leaps and bounds. Baba performed the grandest dharma samiiksa in the history of humanity. Ananda Marga was fast spreading all around the globe. The organization was growing in size exponentially. Still Dada Samanvayananda was nowhere to be seen. Dadaji was still leading the life as “guru” in his ashram. Time and again, Dadaji’s friends like Aksarananda had pleaded with him to return, but to no avail.

BABA REFUSED TO SEE SAMANVAYANANDJI

It was not until around 1984 or so, that Dada Samanvayananda showed up. He came to see Baba in Lake Gardens. Baba refused to see him and refused to let him inside the compound. So Dadaji stood outside the gate and waited. Days passed. Dadaji grew frustrated and despondent. He was standing outside the gate in his civil dress. He was thinking, “Why should I stand here – I can put on my sannyasi dress and return to my own ashram in Dehradun.”

Again his friends like Aksarananda came to his rescue. They pleaded with him to be patient and wait for Baba’s approval. An entire month passed, Baba refused to see him or look at him. Still Dadaji was thinking to go back to his old ashram in Dehradun, and he never considered donating his ashram to Ananda Marga. Instead he kept that as his “safety-net” in case he ever wished to return there.

Then one day, Baba gave the order that Dada should be accepted back and he was given the name Ac Sambunath Brc. And he was given the very simple and basic post of ZO, i.e. zonal organizer within SDM. Later on he became CO, or circle organizer. Even then, Baba barred him from attending all kinds of meetings and reportings.

All in all, Dadaji was away from Ananda Marga for 11 years. When he was needed most to help in difficult times, he was entirely absent – just enjoying the high life as a self-appointed guru.

Even worse, after that time, Dada Samanvayanandji never expressed repentance or remorse for what happened in those days.

JUST SELF-GLORICATIONS, NO REMORSE

Rather, after his return to AMPS and was named Samanvayanandji, then he used to talk about how great Shivanandji was and how he (Shivanandji) used to have so many siddhis and do long sadhana. With that unrepentent ego, he would talk about himself in the third person as a means of praising himself up to the sky. Dadaji marched around with an extreme sense of entitlement – and not an ounce of repentance.

Plus, Dada Samanvayanandji shamelessly glorified his days in Dehradun in his book. He never once admitted that he betrayed Baba or that what he did was wrong. Dada was never open and honest with himself or others about this. Rather he tried to present this as his own greatness.

He wrote his own book ‘Glories of …’. And in that book he mentioned many times about his great work in Dehradun. So that time when Sadguru Baba was facing so many injustices in jail and all workers and family margiis were struggling tooth and nail to survive, Dadaji went against Guru and made his own separate organization known as Prema Marg. Not only did he leave Ananda Marga, but he created a parallel ashram that was directly challenging Baba’s organisation and the path of Ananda Marga.

Yet about all this Dadaji says that this was his “great” work. In his book Dada Samanvayanandji writes on page 57:

“I had established an ashram at the foot of the Himalayas…in Dehradun District of UP.”

Indeed, Dada Samanvayanandji did not have an ounce of repentance for his betrayal to Baba. He does not write, “Unfortunately blinded by my own ego I left Ananda Marga in that critical hour.” Nor does he write, “How can I ever forgive myself for leaving Baba when so many inimical forces attacked Him.” In his book, Dadaji does not express an iota of repentance etc. Just he basks in his own so-called glory that he built up his own ashram.

And even after publishing his book he did not express any remorse. Not a word of repentance did he express for those black days in which he left Baba and created his own organization.

In simple language this is betrayal to Baba and back-stabbing to Guru.

We should not hold Dadaji’s example in some divine manner and others should not emulate Dadaji’s approach. Now when groupism is rattling our organisation, this is not the time to depart and plant one’s flag of glory elsewhere.

Namaskar,
Kalyan

NOTE: The section below demarcated by asterisks is an entirely different topic, completely unrelated to the above letter. It stands on its own as a point of interest.

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Purpose of Marriage

Baba says, “‘Be like Shiva and Parvati, go on doing your worldly duties along with your psychic and spiritual pursuits, be the assets of the entire civilisation, and by your service the whole society should be benefited.”

Note: This is the blessing Baba would graciously bestow on newly married couples when they approached the dais. The inner spirit of Baba’s blessing is that in Ananda Marga marriage is not for carnal pleasures and sensual satisfaction. Rather it entails a serious commitment that has a deep significance. The marriage system in Ananda Marga is for building up one human society worthy of its name.
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Namaskar,
In the various religions, only select leaders are authorised to teach and preach their edicts and codes. One must be a mullah, or priest, or reverend, or rabi, or minister, or cleric, or pundit, or some other religious official. There is no scope for the common people to openly teach others. One must be a recognised or appointed delegate of that religion.

WHO CAN TEACH AND WHO CANNOT TEACH

Unfortunately, one Dada who was born into such a tradition tried to be bring this same faulty notion into Ananda Marga.

Some in our unit were involved in teaching others about Ananda Marga, when that Dada intervened and stated that we should not do this as we were “not qualified”.

We were stunned to hear this and thought about what to do. We then consulted with one very senior acarya and this letter reflects their response. For those more prone towards philosophical dialog, here are the essential questions:

1. Should we start teaching others about Ananda Marga only when we get moksa, i.e. perfection?

2. Should we wait until we have been on the path 10 years before teaching others; or should we wait until we become a wholetimer before guiding others?

3. When can a general margii start teaching others about Ananda Marga? When should a margii begin preaching the gospel of Ananda Marga ideology?

Again, here it is not that anyone wants to be a “great” Ananda Margii and give high-sounding talks to big audiences. That is not the spirit of this inquiry. Merely with our own inner heart feeling, a few of us were quietly sitting and talking to others about Ananda Marga when that Dada came over and told us not to do like that.

WHAT ONE SHOULD TEACH

Only after consulting with a senior acarya, did everything become clear. Here are the key points raised:

The bottom line is that it is the duty of each and every Ananda Margii to start teaching others about Ananda Marga immediately. Even the day a person is initiated they can, nay must, start doing pracara with others.

Here is the support from Baba’s teachings:

(A) SIXTEEN POINTS: It is the duty of every Ananda Margii to follow 16 Points and embedded within 16 Points is service or seva. As we all know there are 4 types of seva in Ananda Marga: shudrocita seva, ksatriyocita seva, vaeshyocita seva, and viprocita seva. And Baba guides us that we, i.e. all margiis, are to perform all four types of seva, including viprocita seva, which includes preaching the ideals of Ananda Marga.

Baba says, “We can give joy to Parama Puruśa by serving His creations – human beings, animals and plants – and this service will be the best application of neo-humanism. This service can be done in four ways – viprocita sevá (intellectual service), kśatriyocita sevá (service of courage), vaeshyocita sevá (economic service) and shudrocita sevá (manual service). None of these is inferior: we cannot ignore any one of them. People should render service according to their capacity. Those who like intellectual service, can do that; those who like manual service, can do so. But it will be best if all the four types are performed.” (17 May 1982, Calcutta)

In His above directive, Baba clearly tells that everyone – new and senior margiis alike – are to engage in all kinds of seva including teaching others about Ananda Marga philosophy and lifestyle. Everyone must do this according to their capacity.

That means even a newly initiated margii can and should teach the general public about kiirtan, or yama and niyama etc. To the degree one is properly aware about Baba’s teachings is the degree to which they should teach others. Then they will be performing seva and following 16 Points. That is Baba’s mandate.

(B) THE ANANDA MARGA MISSION: Self-realisation & selfless service – concerns each and every Ananda Margii.

Baba says, “Átmamokśárthaḿ jagaddhitáya ca – “Whatever one is to do one is to do for átmamokśa – for his own liberation – and for the elevation of the entire world, elevation of the entire human society.” One is to do both these things” (Ananda Vacanamrtam-30)

Thus, here again Baba is directing each and every person in the Marga to perform service – i.e. helping to care for and elevate all beings. Upon entering into Ananda Marga, everyone must do this from day 1. Baba does not say that one should do sadhana for ten years – or after getting perfection, i.e. moksa – then one should start doing service. It is not like that.

Rather from the very beginning every margii is to do sadhana and perform service by preaching the ideals of dharma to others. So here again Baba is mandating that every Ananda Margii must do AM pracara and explain the tenets of Ananda Marga to others.

(C) IN ORDER TO GET MUKTI: In our Supreme Command too Baba tells each and every Ananda Margii to teach others about dharma and inspire them onto the path of spirituality.

“…It is the bounden duty of every Ananda Margii to endeavor to bring all to the path of bliss. Verily is this a part and parcel of sadhana, to lead others along the path of righteousness.” (Supreme Command)

Thus, by Baba’s teaching in the Supreme Command, it is clear that all margiis – young or old, male or female etc – must embark on teaching others about Ananda Marga ideals.

ALL MUST PREACH THE GOSPEL OF ANANDA MARGA

Through His mandates of Sixteen Points, by His mission statement (Átmamokśárthaḿ jagaddhitáya ca), and by the Supreme Command, it is quite clear that every Ananda Margii should teach others about Ananda Marga ideals from the very beginning. To delay this is to go against Guru’s teachings. No one should have any complex about this nor should this point be shrouded in confusion. All – I repeat all – are to teach others about the principles of Ananda Marga.

IGNORANT ACARYAS:

NO DADA CAN BAR YOU FROM TEACHING

Thus, if you or anyone in your unit is sincerely teaching others about Ananda Marga philosophy and a Dada tells you that you are “too new”, or “not senior enough”, or “not smart enough” etc, then just inform that Wt that Baba’s guideline is that, “I must perform all 4 sevas each and every day and that includes teaching others about Ananda Marga ideology, according to the level of my own knowledge base.”

So no Dada can give any lame excuse and prohibit any margii – new or old – from guiding others on spiritual life and Ananda Marga ideals.

Actually, it is the dogmatic religions that preach how lay / family people cannot teach the tenets. In Christianity only the priest can do; in Islam, only the mullah can do; and in Hinduism only the pundits can do. They are the only ones to preach the gospel of their religion – not the common people. So Ananda Marga is unique. Baba says that all can and should do.

Unfortunately some ignorant Wts want to introduce religious dogmas into our Ananda Marga society by stating that only the priest class can guide others. They just want to “copy & paste” such dogmas into our Ananda Marga.

But we must remember such dogmas are hellish.

Baba says, “These [common] people were deprived of the right to study the Vedas. The Antyaja Shúdras, if they even heard the Vedic chants, or the controlling Vedic mantra aum, or the “Savitr Rk” mantra, would be committing a great sin and molten lead would be poured into their ears so that their hearing would be destroyed forever. Nor were women, however educated, allowed to hear such sacred chants.” (Namah Shivaya Shantaya, Disc: 5)

HOW “DON’T TEACH” DOGMA STARTED

Indeed in those days of old, what to speak of not allowing the common people to preach the philosophy, they would not even allow the common people to learn it. If general citizens came in contact with those teachings they would be tortured and shunned – i.e. scarred for life. That was the way those dogmatic religions operated – and still today that is their modus operendi. They feel that mantras or prayers can only be solemnized when they are recited by priests etc. According to bhagavad dharma, there is no 3rd person between the devotee and God, but in such religions, the priest / mullah etc is the so-called intermediary. Here the point is that in the dogmatic religions, only the priest is able pass on religious knowledge, not anyone else.

Tragically, now some Dadas are leaning in this direction and not allowing margiis to teach the philosophy to others. We have to oppose such Dadas. When any Dada is forbidding a margii to propagate the gospel of Ananda Marga or neo-humanism, we should alarm everyone about that Dada and unmask their name and address.

THE SCENE AT DHARMACAKRA

In dharmacakra, many think that after meditation then only a wt should stand up and explain Baba’s teachings and Ananda Marga books. It happens that even a wt not familiar with a topic will speak about it anyway; yet, there may be a margii present in the room who knows far more on that subject. But the margii is overlooked because some think that only those in WT dress should speak to Baba’s teachings. A few dadas feel that this is their due honour: Since they have the dress then only they can speak in public. This dogma has been brought into Ananda Marga from the various religions.

Who does not know that in the black pages of history before the invention of the printing press, the bible was not allowed to be copied and given to anyone. The common people did not have access to it at all. Finally, when the printing press came along the pope did not permit the bible to be printed and distributed. This went on for some time. And still today the Koran (Quran) cannot be translated. It can only appear in Arabic. Those who want to know about it must consult a mullah. This is the way they keep their dogma in tact. Similarly, in Ananda Marga, some think that our scriptures should only be read by acaryas. This is the dogma they want to impose.

Ananda Marga is extremely different from the dogmatic religions. Baba has blessed us with a revolutionary approach where all have the moral duty to preach and teach the tenets of Ananda Marga.

Unfortunately, some Dadas puffed up with vanity feel that only they should talk about dharma. They want everyone to listen to them. That is what their ego tells them. So they feel threatened if a margii sincerely engages in talks about Ananda Marga philosophy with others.

But again, Baba’s mandate is clear and pointed: Every initiated person in Ananda Marga must preach and teach others about our AM way of life.

WHAT ONE SHOULD NOT TEACH

Now that it is clear that it is the duty of every Ananda Margii to perform service and teach others about the philosophy and ideals of Ananda Marga, there are a few easy points to keep in mind.

1) One must not teach others about the lessons of sadhana unless one is a tattvika, or acarya etc.

2) One should not teach aspects of Baba’s teachings that they themselves are not adequately familiar with. If one does this then two negative results will arise. Firstly, one will spread faulty explanations and confuse others; and secondly, the person you are trying to teach will lose faith in you.

3) Certainly though, each and every Ananda Margii knows something about Ananda Mara ideals. It may be even the most basic of principles or something complex; regardless, what you know you should teach those ideas to others. That is how society grows.

So it is important to educate oneself about Ananda Marga ideals and consult Baba’s discourses by reading Ananda Marga books. And side by side one should practice.

Indeed, every Ananda Margii should be eager and ready to preach Baba’s gospel to any and all who are interested. And even if they are not interested, we should try and inspire them.

Margiis can teach our kiirtan mantra to anyone. We can teach them to sing internally or externally.

DESIRING PRAISE ETC IS ANTI-LIBERATION

Here is another dynamic to be aware of when preaching Ananda Marga ideals.

Some sincere margiis start doing pracara and mistakenly think that because they are doing dharmic work then people should appreciate them. This goes against our main spiritual ethic and the outcome is disastrous. If a person just thinks about their own self and their own quality, then their mind becomes smaller and smaller. In that case, the goal is not Parama Purusa, but their own unit self. This is the absolute wrong way to proceed – it is the path of degeneration.

Another distinct drawback is that if people are not appreciating you, then you feel there is no point in doing the work and you may drop it entirely. Furthermore, if anyone criticises you then you will feel crushed and dejected, whether or not that criticism is valid or not.

Plus, some opportunists might praise you to the sky in order to exploit you and get you to attend to their agenda. These are the pitfalls of getting caught up in praise and censure.

The best is for every sadhaka to serve other and propagate AM ideals, thinking that they are doing everything for Parama Purusa – to please Him.

Then if someone opposes or praises you it does not matter. Your mind will remain balanced and you will not veer from your course. Why? Because you are doing to serve Parama Purusa, not to garner praise etc. Here the whole idea is that one should not be a slave of praise or censure. Then one cannot fulfill their duty on this earth.

Those who do pracara dharma with idea that they are serving Parama Purusa never get frustrated by others’ negative comments. That is the expression of real devotion. And such persons do not anticipate that others should praise them because they are doing a great job.

Whenever a person believes in their heart that it is their duty to do a particular task then they do not expect that people should praise them. For example, when a mother is caring for her very small infant, then that mother does not care if the neighbor praises her or not.

Similarly, a good sadhaka will preach the gospel of Ananda Marga without any expectation of praise and without any concern for censure. One will fulfill this blessed duty to please Parama Purusa.

Baba says, “Nindantu niitinipuńáh yadi vá stuvantu: “If I am too concerned with those who praise or censure me, I will not find time to do my real work. As I have come to this world only for a short period, my only concern should be to keep on doing the duty the Lord has assigned to me. And while doing this allotted duty, I should remember that I belong to Parama Puruśa. I have come form Him, and I will have to return to Him – and to do that, I must complete my allotted duty.” (Subhasita Samgraha, part 12)

Baba says, “Regarding those who are likely to create obstacles in your path – let them do so. You should remember that those who are the actual pioneers, the real vanguard of the society, are always a microscopic minority, but it is they who are destined to be victorious. Those who once opposed, or are now opposing or will oppose in the future, will in the future admit: “Yes, we are now driving our vehicle safely and comfortably along the very path which that vanguard once opened by clearing the jungle.” This means that those who cleared the obstacles in the beginning will later be recognized as pioneers. The funny thing is this, that people do not give recognition at the time it is due. This is the natural law. And at the same time you should also remember this simple truth: that in a jungle the number of tigers and lions is always few; the jackals far outnumber them. Yet in the jungle the tigers and lions reign supreme, not the jackals. The jackals are sure to howl, that is their nature; but the tigers and lions will not be frightened.” (Ananda Vacanamrtam-6)

Namaskar,
at lotus feet of the Divine Entity,
Smita

Note 1: IMPORTANT PROVERB

One should never forget that human life evolves gradually from animal life in the cosmic cycle of brahmacakra. Human beings were animals in the past and those propensities are still dominant in many of our fellow human beings. For this reason some people feel the need to oppose good work. If we all keep this in mind then one will not get affected when others are opposing your righteous deeds.

Always remember this proverb: No good deed goes unpunished. The sense is that certain notorious people want to abuse you because their own prestige is at stake. But pay no mind to them, go on propagating the ideals of dharma, always singing Baba’s name.

PRABHAT SAMGIITA

“Tumi ga’n go ka’ha’r tare badhir kare rekhe dhara’re…” (P.S. 1972)

Purport:

Baba, in this cosmic play of Yours, You go on singing Your divine songs to attract devotees. Even then I do not know for whom You are singing. Baba, Your divine songs are pervading throughout this entire vast cosmos; Your songs are permeating each and every loka. Baba, nothing else is audible except Your divine song. O’ Baba, by Your melodious call You have made everyone deaf. Baba, You come and go; and You smile and lovingly look upon one and all with Your infinite compassion. But unfortunately nobody can see You.

Baba, because of Your songs, the whole world is melodic. With Your tune, rhythm, & melody, You saturate this entire universe with divine nectar. Everyone is immersed in Your music. Baba, when You come close then You shower Your grace abundantly. In spite of that it is impossible for me to become one with You – because of my own faults & shortcomings.

Baba, You are completely captivating: Your coming and going in dhyana, Your sweet smile, and Your charming look – all this deeply touches my heart. Baba, You are most attractive. O’ Parama Purusa You are the universal mind (Vishvama’nas); You destroy and wipe away all cimmerian darkness and staticity; and You shower Your divine effulgence. Baba, You lovingly hold each and every atom and molecule in Your heart. Baba, everything resides within You.

Baba, with Your divine song You have captivated this entire universe. It is Your causeless grace…

Note: Parama Purusa attracts devotees in various ways – such as through the song of His divine flute, His Cosmic Grace and Sweet Charm. And that is what has been expressed in the above song.

Namaskar,
Happy New Year to all – to everyone – our entire universal family! [1]

We should read this following Ananda Vanii given by Baba, Lord Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji. This is His direct blessing – an original Ananda Vanii. Why should we settle for a fake Ananda Vanii. The following can be read on the grand occasion of this Happy New Year: 1 January 2013.

“The humans of today are possessed of spirited intellect and accomplished wisdom. They are keen to advance with rapid step shattering the shackles of dogmas. They will no longer be entrapped by the illusion of opportunism. The rays of the crimson dawn of a new humanity on the eastern horizon have started weaving textures of colours on their eyelids and in the subtle recesses of their minds. As for those who have been dreaming of keeping humanity imprisoned by dogmas, their days are numbered; their blissful dreams are being shattered to pieces. I call upon all enlightened people and say: “Go ahead with courage. The humanity has been awaiting you. Establish it in the excellence and grandeur of glory.””

– A’nanda Va’n’ii #53

Namaskar,
Sastaunga Pranam to Baba,
AM-GLOBAL Moderators

[1] Entire family: All of creation are His progeny. So our universal family refers not just to all human beings, but also the animal kingdom, the plant world, all animate beings and inanimate objects, and the expressed and unexpressed universe, i.e. this entire creation. All are part of our family.